Curvilinear Solar Heater

ABSTRACT

The curvilinear heater disclosed contemplates an air based solar radiant heating system that utilizes a heat collector having a cover creating an area within which an absorber plate allows for the transformation of solar energy into heat energy. The absorber plate is constructed to maximize surface area by utilizing a curvilinear design.

CROSS REFERENCES None. GOVERNMENTAL RIGHTS None. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the present specification, we disclose a new device that utilizes solar energy for use in radiant heating of homes or structures. Typically, solar energy has been captured for use by one of two methods; (1) radiant heating systems, or (2) transformation of solar energy into electricity using photovoltaic cells, which is then used on demand or stored in batteries or capacitors for subsequent use.

Radiant heating systems typically utilize large flat panel collectors through which liquid or air is passed and thereby heated. Liquid radiant heat systems typically utilize either water or an antifreeze solution in a hydronic collector whereas air-based systems heat air in air collector chambers. Both systems collect and absorb solar energy, then transfer the heat to the interior space or a storage system from which the heat is distributed.

Air based solar heating systems come in different designs. One design is known as modular solar air collector and generally comprises a metal box having a glass or plastic cover, known as glazing, on top and a dark-colored absorber plate on the bottom. Sunlight passes through the glazing and strikes the absorber plate, which heat up, changing solar energy into heat energy. The air contained within the modular solar air collector is heated by the sun, and when the air reaches a predetermined temperature, an automated fan directs the heated air through ductwork to an interior room. Absorber plates may be coated with material that allows for higher absorption and retention of heat. Absorber plates are generally made of metal, typically copper, because metal is a good heat conductor. Some designs allow for insulation on the back of the collector to maximize heat transfer to the air contained within the modular solar air collector. Modular solar air collectors utilize a fan to circulate air from the interior room through the modular air collector for heating. The unit may be mounted on a roof or the side of a building. Modular solar air collectors are flat panel and box-like in their design and suffer the disadvantage of losing heat to the environment when the air in the collector reaches a temperature far above the ambient. It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an air based solar heating system that is not constrained with the disadvantage of losing substantial heat to the environment when the air in the collector reaches a temperature far above the ambient.

Another type of air based solar heating system is known as a solar wall. This method contemplates a lattice of dark colored metal having holes through which air may permeate. The permeable solar wall is set off from the exterior surface of the building by approximately eight inches, and as the sun warms the permeable solar wall, the heated air rises to the top of the building structure where it is then ducted through a conventional ventilation system. In this arrangement, the solar wall is analogous to an absorber plate with the exception that the air permeates through it. In the summer months, the same technology is used to serve to prevent solar radiation from striking the south wall of a building. Warm air between the solar paneling and the building rises and is ventilated through the holds at the top of the building. This is said to reduce the cooling load in the building. The disadvantages of solar wall technology is that it is generally adaptable for large, commercial or industrial operations rather than residential ones. It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an air based solar heating system that is compatible with small or large buildings.

Liquid based solar heating systems typically use flat panel collectors or evacuated tube collectors. In these collectors, the liquid absorbs that heat and when the temperature of the liquid in the collector attains a predetermined point, the liquid is moved from the collector into a storage system where the heat is exchanged in the interior of the building or home. This method is the same for a solar water heating system where hot water is desired. The liquid, once heated to a predetermined point, is then pumped from the collector into an array of systems to allow for dissipation of the heat energy. For example, it is known in the prior art to distribute the liquid through radiant floor systems, hot water baseboards, radiators, or to a heat exchanger connected to a central forced-air system. In a radiant floor system, a solar-heated liquid circulates through pipes embedded in a thin concrete slab floor, which radiates heat to the room. The limitations of these systems depend upon the ability of the solar panel to effectively absorb heat on the rooftop of the building.

Flat panel collectors utilizing liquid are known to be constructed of various metal to allow for maximum heat transfer with the liquid. The flat panel collectors vary in depth and size to allow for a predetermined volume of liquid to flow for a given energy use of the interior of the home. The design is relatively simple and comprises a metal box with a glass or plastic cover, known as glazing, on top and a dark-colored absorber plate on the bottom. The sides and bottom of the collector are usually insulated to minimize heat loss. Sunlight passes through the glazing and strikes the absorber plate, which heat up, changing solar energy into heat energy. The heat is transferred to liquid passing through pipes attached to the absorber plate. Absorber plates may be coated with material that allows for higher absorption and retention of heat. Absorber plates are generally made of metal, typically copper, because metal is a good heat conductor. Flat panel collectors suffer the disadvantage of losing heat to the environment when the liquid in the collector reaches a temperature far above the ambient.

Evacuated tube collectors are designed having a plurality of tubes as aligned in a series across a flat plane directed towards the sun. The tubes may require less fluid than a flat panel collector and have the added benefit of being constructed in a module or assembled on the jobsite. The energy transfer efficiency of the evacuated tube collectors is suggested to be better than flat panel collectors. The construction of the evacuated tube collector comprises three main elements; an internal copper heat pipe through which fluid flows, a plurality of heat transfer fins that provide connectivity between the copper heat pipe and an absorber plate. These three components are contained within and protected by a vacuum-sealed exterior tube that is similar in appearance to an elongated fluorescent light tube. The exterior tube may be constructed of glass or plastic. In order to work, the system propels fluid through the small diameter copper heat pipe along the length of the evacuated tube collector and cycles the fluid through a reservoir or heat exchanger. As the fluid travels through the evacuated tube collector, the solar energy heats the fluid. Evacuated tube collectors suffer the disadvantage that their absorber plate area to gross area ratio is smaller than for flat plates. It is thus an object of the present invention to provide adequate gross area ratio for the absorber plate to provide for the highest possible energy transfer.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description which, when viewed in light of the accompanying drawings, disclose the embodiments of the invention.

The curvilinear heater disclosed contemplates an air based solar radiant heating system that utilizes a heat collector having a glass or plastic cover creating an area within which an absorber plate allows for the transformation of solar energy into heat energy. The absorber plate is constructed to maximize surface area by utilizing a curvilinear design. The area between the cover and the absorber plate represents a first chamber, wherein air that travels or is forced through the first chamber is heated by the solar energy absorbed by the absorber plate. In a more specialized embodiment, there may exist an area beneath the arched design of the absorber plate creating a second chamber. In this adaptation, the second chamber is defined, at the top, by the absorber plate and, at the bottom, a heat plate. The heat plate runs the substantial length of the absorber plate. In possibly yet another embodiment, a third chamber may be created and defined, at the top, by the heat plate, and, at the bottom, an insulated base.

In the most specialized chambered approach, wherein air is forced through three chambers for maximum heating, air is forced through the system through an inlet port that empties into the first chamber wherein the air is heated as it passes over and through the curvilinear absorber plate and additionally heated as the air travels to the second chamber where the heat plate continues to heat the air. As the air ultimately travels through the third chamber, it remains heated and insulated from cooling until it reaches the return port. In a residential application, the air is pulled from a room, ducted through the inlet port, forced through the curvilinear heater through the first chamber, second chamber, the third chamber and into the return port where the air is thereafter ducted back to an interior room. The use of thermostat(s), cyclic fan motor(s), and ductwork is known in the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the air based curvilinear heater.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the air based curvilinear heater.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the air based curvilinear heater.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the absorber plate having curvilinear design.

LISTING OF COMPONENTS

-   -   101—curvilinear heater     -   103—heat collector cover     -   105—curvilinear absorber plate     -   107—first chamber     -   109—heat plate     -   111—second chamber     -   113—third chamber     -   115—insulated base     -   117—mounting flange     -   119—inlet port     -   121—return port     -   123—inlet ductwork     -   125—return ductwork     -   127—room thermostat     -   131—fan solar power source     -   133—fan actuator     -   135—curvilinear heater thermostat     -   137—controller

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 depicts an air based solar radiant heating system with a curvilinear heater, 101, utilizing a heat collector cover 103, creating an area within which a curvilinear absorber plate, 105, allows for the transformation of solar energy into heat energy. The curvilinear absorber plate is constructed to maximize surface area by utilizing a curvilinear design and is generally understood to run the substantial length of the curvilinear heater, 101. The curvilinear design maximizes surface area of the curvilinear absorption plate, 105. The area between the cover and the curvilinear absorber plate, 105, represents a first chamber, 107; the area beneath the arched design of the curvilinear absorber plate, 105, creates a second chamber, 111. The second chamber, 111, is defined by the absorber plate, 105, and a heat plate, 109. The heat plate, 109, runs the substantial length of the absorber plate, 105. A third chamber, 113, is created and defined by the heat plate, 109, and an insulated base, 115.

Air flows through the curvilinear heater, 101, through an inlet port, 119, that empties into the first chamber, 107, wherein the air is heated by solar energy as it passes over and through the curvilinear absorber plate, 105, and additionally heated as the air travels to the second chamber, 111, where the heat plate continues to heat the air. As the air travels through the third chamber, 113, it remains heated yet insulated from cooling until it reaches the return port, 121. In a residential application, the air is pulled from a room through inlet ductwork, 123, ducted through the inlet port, 119, forced through the curvilinear heater through the first chamber, 107, second chamber, 111, third chamber, 113, and into the return port, 121, where the air is thereafter ducted back to an interior room through return ductwork, 125. The use of thermostat(s), 127, fan(s), 129, and ductwork is known in the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the curvilinear heater, 101, as taken from the perspective nearest the return ductwork, 125.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the curvilinear absorption plate, 105, wherein the surface area is maximized in relation to not only the first chamber, 107, but also relative to the second chamber, 111. The use of this design permits the maximum possible heat transfer from the curvilinear absorption plate, 105, to the airflow.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate design for the curvilinear absorption plate, 105, revealing a dimpled design as preferentially arranged substantially along the length of the curvilinear absorption plate, 105.

In order to maximize the efficiencies surrounding this design, one may preferentially set a room thermostat, 127, to actuate the fan, 129, only when the temperature drops below a predetermined set temperature. Using a controller, 137, the rate of airflow may be preferentially controlled by actuating a fan, 129, with a fan actuator, 133. The controller, 137, may use as variables to consider temperature readings taken from, or in conjunction with, the room thermostat, 127, and a curvilinear heater thermostat, 135.

In an alternate or additional embodiment, the inclusion of a fan solar power source, 131, as integrated within the curvilinear heater, 101, may serve as the power source to the fan, 129. Accordingly, the unit would be self-powered. The fan solar power source, 131, is understood to be a photovoltaic energy cell that is of sufficient capacity to reasonably power the fan, 129. 

1. A solar radiant heater comprising: an inlet port; a heat collector cover; a curvilinear absorber plate; and a first chamber located substantially between the heat collector cover and the curvilinear absorber plate over which air may travel and be heated; and a return port.
 2. A solar radiant heater comprising: an inlet port; a heat collector cover; a curvilinear absorber plate; a first chamber located substantially between the heat collector cover and the curvilinear absorber plate over which air may travel and be heated; a heat plate; a second chamber located substantially between the curvilinear absorber plate and the heat plate through which air may travel and be heated; and a return port.
 3. A solar radiant heater comprising: an inlet port; a heat collector cover; a curvilinear absorber plate; a first chamber located substantially between the heat collector cover and the curvilinear absorber plate over which air may travel and be heated; a heat plate; a second chamber located substantially between the curvilinear absorber plate and the heat plate through which air may travel and be heated; an insulated base; a third chamber located substantially between the heat plate and the insulated base through which air may travel and remain substantially heated; and a return port. 